Staying organised during your studies can be difficult, especially if you’re dealing with extra curriculars and part-time employment. However, there are many ways to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of staying ahead. Organising your time is essential, and ensuring that you give yourself more time than needed can prevent unexpected delays and stress.
There are a variety of different ways you can organise your time, but something I have found useful is making a weekly checklist of tasks I need to complete. These can be related to your studies, but also include any other errands and work outside of this. By creating a list of things you need to do for the week, you can schedule out your time based around your weekly timetable of lectures and classes, as well as any part-time work you may have to do. Try to stay ahead and start scheduling tasks the week before term starts, as this means you will have extra time to account for anything you may have forgotten about, or didn’t have time to complete.
Some people find it useful to make a time allocated schedule, as this provides structure to your week and means you always have a plan. Personally, I prefer to create a looser plan as it gives me more room for choice about which tasks to complete and when, without feeling like I have neglected my schedule if plans change. Both systems work, but entirely depend on personal preferences and habits. I would recommend getting an academic journal, which can be purchased at a number of stationary shops, as getting your plans out of your head and down on paper can help decrease stress and the risk of forgetting something.
Beyond degree commitments, managing your time with a part-time job can be challenging. If you are considering getting a part-time job, make sure that the work you choose does not interfere too much with the rest of your engagements. This means taking a job that fits your lifestyle. For example, avoid jobs which may interfere with your sleep schedule or do not have reliable hours. The times that you work can also have an impact on your ability to stay organised. Although weekend jobs are popular among students, it may be useful to avoid working on Sundays so that you’ve always got a day to ensure you are prepared for the week ahead.
Being aware of how busy you are going to be throughout the term is important in order to prevent feeling overwhelmed or behind on studies. Working a job that is flexible makes student life much easier, especially during exam season. However, if this isn’t an option or you have concerns about work, or anything else, LSE LIFE is an excellent resource. You can utilise it for everything from time management to study skills. Booking in to speak to an LSE LIFE advisor can be incredibly helpful, and the earlier it’s done the better. They can help you prepare for your exams and organise your tasks, alongside the help of your academic mentor. Your academic mentor is another person you can go to for help, and they can offer you more specific advice based on your degree subject.
Overall, don’t let the fear of becoming overwhelmed stop you from pursuing your degree or a part-time job. There are many independent and social ways in which you can ensure you stay on top of your workload. LSE has an abundance of support available to those who are seeking to improve their organisation and study skills.
